Language is both a knowledge set and a skill set. Consequently theprocess of learning a language is not linear. If learners are torealistically develop the "skill" of language, they must have manyopportunities to use the language. Grammar is obviously important and isbest taught reactively through correction and other awareness-raisingactivities. Vocabulary can be taught more pro-actively with activitiesthat both re-cycle students back through their words and also lead to anunderstanding of how these words are used. Additionally teachers mustguide students along a path of self-study. Teaches have manyresponsibilities. This talk will look at some practical ideas to helpteachers in the classroom, and help guide their students to languagelearning success.

About the Keynote Speaker=======================Alastair Graham-Marr has his M.A. in Applied Linguistics. His researchinterests have included a focus on output, the role of explicit teachingin second language acquisition and second language listening. He hasbeen teaching in Japan for 21 years. He is an active conferenceparticipant and presenter in Japan. He has run workshops in manycountries around the world, including Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, theU.A.E., the U.S., Brazil, Canada and the U.K.

Plenary Speaker: David Barker

Plenary Address: Getting Back to Basics in ELT

The history of English Language Teaching has been characterized by astream of ever-changing fashions and trends. In most cases, proponentsof new methodologies have urged teachers and learners to abandon alltheir old tools and techniques and embrace the new dogma, and all toooften teachers have been willing to follow unquestioningly. One exampleof this is the way that many highly effective teaching methodologieshave fallen out of favor in recent years because they are no longerdeemed to be sufficiently 'communicative'. This is often in spite ofthe fact that a wealth of research evidence exists to show that many ofthem are, in fact, highly beneficial for learners.

In this presentation, I will discuss a number of what I consider to be'basic principles' of language learning and argue for a renewed look atwhat our students are actually able to do with their English. Feedbackfrom participants will be invited.

About the Plenary Speaker======================David Barker is from North Wales in the United Kingdom. He has beenteaching English for 18 years, and he has taught in the UK, Singapore,New Zealand, and Japan. He has an RSA Diploma in TEFLA, an MA in AppliedLinguistics, and a PhD in English Language Education. He has worked full-time at three Japanese universities, and part-time at three more, and hehas also taught in several Japanese junior high and high schools. He isthe author of seven books and various magazine and newspaper columns forJapanese learners of English.

Presenters=========There are three sessions with concurrent presentations/workshops.